Over the last month, Khaled AlQazzaz’s lawyers have appeared in court twice, only to leave without a decision on his case. While Khaled’s lawyers have restated their concerns about his critical health and their ongoing application for his release on medical grounds, in both instances the judge delayed his decision and ordered for the hearing to be repeated. The lawyers will once again present their case on Wednesday December 17.

Canadian diplomats have been denied access to monitor the case for the last several court appearances.

Canadians continue to pay it forward in honour of Khaled, who has been detained without charge for over 17 months.

Cecilia Greyson, sister of John Greyson, a previously detained Canadian in Egypt, has joined the pay-it-forward campaign. “Today I join my brother John Greyson by participating in Sarah's campaign. In honour of Khaled, and all others held unjustly around the world, I am making donations to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, & I'm encouraging friends to do the same.”

Peter Larson, Vice-chair, Middle East Study Group, Canadian International Council (National Capital Region) has pledged to donate to the University of Toronto’s Orphanage Sponsorship Program founded by Khaled in 2003. Today UofT students collect funds for 130 orphans in 20 countries through this program.

Khaled has been arbitrarily detained for 532 days, without charge; yet his family continues to be concerned with each detainment renewal that Khaled may face trumped up charges. A request for release on medical grounds has been officially filed in the hope that Khaled can receive vital medical surgery from a hospital of his choice, and so that he can be re-united with his children during the holiday season.

Pay-It-Forward Contributions

Sarah Leah Whitson has donated to New York public schools, in honor of Khaled's commitment to education

Dr. John Esposito has donated to Amnesty/HRW/SPLC, in honor of Khaled's commitment to human rights

Erna Paris has donated to World Federation Movement-Canada, in honor of Khaled's commitment to social justice and democracy

Cecilia Greyson has donated to Amnesty and HRW, in honor of Khaled's commitment to human rights

Peter Larson has donated to UofT's orphanage sponsorship program, in honor of Khaled establishing it in 2003

Background

Khaled Al-Qazzaz, a permanent resident of Canada and father of four young Canadian children, has been unlawfully detained without charge in Egypt for over 500 days. Khaled spent his days and nights in solitary confinement in a cramped insect-infested cell slightly larger than a broom closet in one of Egypt’s most notorious prisons. Khaled's health has deteriorated due to the conditions of his detainment and is at risk of permanent paralysis if not provided with appropriate medical care immediately.

Khaled Al-Qazzaz is an acclaimed educator, youth activist and a human rights champion. Khaled was a staffer, bureaucrat and civil servant of a democratically elected government and he exercised his rights to freedom of expression and association peacefully.

Toronto-born Sarah Attia, Khaled’s wife, has been calling on the Canadian government and international community to urgently assist in securing Khaled’s immediate release.

On July 3, 2013, the Egyptian military forcibly and illegally detained Khaled Al-Qazzaz, a Canadian-educated mechanical engineer, human rights activist and former school principal. His Toronto-born wife, Sarah Attia, has been raising awareness about his situation with the hopes of bringing him back home to her and their four children.